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Public Debt
Increase of Debts Slows Down at Asfinag
According to the Austrian motorway company Asfinag, austerity is slowly starting to show results.
January 3, 2011
State Secretary for Finance: Euro-bonds as a Medium-term Strategy
The Austrian State Secretary for Finance, Andreas Schieder, does not discard Euro-bonds, against the majority view of German and Austrian politicians.
December 31, 2010
Massive Rise of Debt in the Public Sector
Austria's debt is rising dramatically. Not only the state budget, but also the provinces and municipalities are the major contributors to this situation.
December 31, 2010
Nowotny Calls for Consistent Budget Consolidation
The Governor of the OeNB draws balance at the end of the year and gives his outlook on the challenges for 2011
December 30, 2010
WIFO Director: "Crisis was not Taken Advantage of to Introduce Reforms"
In an interview with the newspaper "Kurier", the head of the WIFO criticizes the lack of commitment to reforms. His perspectives for Austria are nevertheless optimistic.
December 30, 2010
Raiffeisen Foresees a Weak Decade for Europe
RLB Niederösterreich-Wien expects hardly any economic growth, particularly in the euro countries. Austria is however relatively well positioned.
December 28, 2010
AAA Rating Confirmed for Austria
The rating agency Standard & Poor’s; leaves Austria’s credit status unchanged.
December 22, 2010
Leitl: Municipal Financial Problems Act as Growth Brake
The President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), Christoph Leitl, demands greater spending efficiency in the public sector in order to improve municipal finances.
December 22, 2010
Austrian Official Debt Level Rises
Due to the EU-wide commitment to a more transparent presentation of liabilities, the official debt ratio of Austria will continue to increase.
December 21, 2010
Austria's Tax Revenues are Higher than Expected
As the economy developed relatively well this year relatively, tax revenues increased. The deficit for 2010 might therefore turn out to be lower than planned.
December 17, 2010
Bank Austria´s Economic Analysis: 2% Growth in 2011
The analysis of the Austrian economy forecasts a strong recovery. Improvements in the labour market will continue, but the positive trend weakens.
December 16, 2010
Allianz: Austria's Economic Production has Reached Pre-crisis Level in 2011
Strong exports and government stimulus programs enabled growth. Despite public savings constraint, Allianz expects further upward trends.
December 15, 2010
Austria Benefits from Low Loan Interest Rates
Because of low interest rates and spreads, Austria is able to get convenient financing on the loan market. Euro-bonds would mean significant costs for Austria.
December 13, 2010
Nowotny: No Euro-bonds Yet
Although he supports the euro-bonds in principle, the time has not come yet for the Governor of the Austrian National Bank.
December 10, 2010
Austrian Resistance Against Euro Bonds
Massive criticism comes from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria against the proposal to implement euro bonds to stabilize the currency in the EU.
December 8, 2010
Increase of Austrians’ Purchasing Power
Despite higher taxes and lower benefits, the purchasing power of the Austrian people will grow in 2011 by an estimated 2.6%.
December 7, 2010
Nowotny Pleads for Euro-Bonds
The governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny, is for the introduction of euro-bonds. Germany’s resistance is pre-programmed.
December 6, 2010
Triple-A Rating: Treichl vs. Nowotny
The Chairman of the Erste Group is not convinced anymore by Austria's financial policy; the Governor of the National Bank however, still stands on "AAA".
December 3, 2010
Extra-budgetary Debts Grow Unabated
Debt levels which are not attributed to the Austrian Federal Budget rise exorbitantly. Above all, the ÖBB and Asfinag are responsible.
November 30, 2010
The Budget is Finally Set
After weeks of discussions about the 2011Austrian Federal Budget, the final details were announced today. There are very few amendments to the original project.
November 30, 2010
WIFO: Budget Consolidation in the EU is Not Sustainable
WIFO criticizes the consolidation programs of the individual EU countries for being easily enforceable, but containing hardly any sustainable measures.
November 29, 2010
aws Has Expansion Plans
The state-owned SME financing agency aws will double its fund volume to € 160 million, and extend its investments.
November 25, 2010
Leitl Vehemently Asks the Government for Structural Reforms
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WK), Christoph Leitl, call on the government for location and future investments.
November 25, 2010
Europe's Public Debt and Unemployment Remain High
Austrian Institute of Economic Research: The revival of the EU states, driven by expansionary economic policies and export growth, is ebbing.
November 25, 2010
AE&E Files Insolvency Application
After weeks of negotiations between AE&E's creditor and the banks, no continuation is possible. Talks ended without reaching an agreement.
November 24, 2010
Lending Rates of Domestic Banks Significantly Lower Than in the Euro Area
The lending interest rates for private households and businesses have risen recently. But despite this, rates are more advantageous than in other euro-countries.
November 23, 2010
Economic Chamber President Leitl Demands Financial Transaction Tax
There is consensus between the Presidents of the Economic Chamber and the Federation of Trade Unions.
November 23, 2010
CEE: Catch-Up Process Starts Again
After the growth break caused by the economic crisis, Eastern Europe is back on the upswing. However, the catch-up process has been delayed by years.
November 22, 2010
OECD: Austria's growth until 2012 at 2%
According to the report, the economy is returning back to normal values, but it will have to manage without fiscal stimulus.
November 18, 2010
Junge Industrie Wien: Explosive Generational Balance Study
Junge Industrie Wien calls for "courageous steps". The credo is future investments instead of transfer payments.
November 17, 2010
Austria's Exposure in Ireland: 3.4 Billion Euro
Since September 2009, Austrian banks have halved their exposure in Ireland. The most affected countries are the United Kingdom and Germany.
November 15, 2010
The ÖBB is a Risk Factor for the State Budget
While the investment projects for the ÖBB are being reduced by Transport Minister Doris Bures, a fiasco is threatening on the revenue side.
November 15, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny "During the Crisis, the Euro Acted as a Protection Shield Beyond the Euro Area"
The Governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny warns to fiscal discipline and talks about economic challenges and opportunities in Europe.
November 15, 2010
Infrastructure Development: Investing in the Future or Incurring Debt?
While industry competes for sites for the development of infrastructure, legitimate questions are being raised on financial issues.
November 15, 2010
Traffic Expenditures: € 4.3bn less
As a consequence of the new budget, public infrastructure projects are being reduced considerably. Postponed projects and low-cost alternatives will save money.
November 12, 2010
Linz AG: Pause After Investment Offensive
The municipal company recorded extraordinary high capital expenses in 2009. The next projects are still in the planning phase.
November 11, 2010
Standard & Poor’s: Austria's Credit Rating at Risk
The reasons for such gloomy prospects are not problems with the banks or domestic companies, but rather the demographic situation threaten Austria's credit rating.
November 11, 2010
Erste Group: CEE Companies More Efficient than Western Counterparts
CEE companies are more efficient, more profitable and less indebted as Western companies. The German corporate sector is the only sector to compete with CEE companies.
November 10, 2010
Leitl: Austrians Go into Retirement Too Early
Those who go into early retirement in Austria are rewarded. The government should create more incentives to retire later on in life.
November 10, 2010
Austerity Package: Resistance from the Federal Provinces
While cries for savings are getting louder in the provinces, declarations of both consensus and objections come from the provincial capital cities
November 8, 2010
Vienna: Negotiations Between the SPÖ and the Greens Almost Concluded
The last major points are budget issues. Both sides are however optimistic of reaching an agreement.
November 5, 2010
IHS Boss Felderer Pleads for Railway Tunnel
The debate about the controversial Koralm tunnel is being enriched. IHS (Institute for Advanced Studies) boss Felderer argues strongly for the infrastructure measure.
November 3, 2010
Strabag CEO Haselsteiner: Koralmtunnel Has To Be Built
Haselsteiner reacts sharply to criticism of the construction of the Koralm tunnel. He sees the infrastructure measure as economically sensible.
November 2, 2010
Risk of Default of Federal Investments for 330 Million Euro
The State bought high-risk securities in 2007 and 2008. These show a high risk of default since the financial crisis. The State wants to get rid of these securities by next year.
October 29, 2010
EU Funds to Finance Brenner Tunnel until 2015
The European Commission has extended its partial financing commitment for the Brenner tunnel. However, appropriate measures must be taken soon. Deliberations are still underway at present.
October 28, 2010
Lending Policy of Banks is Stabilized
Results for Austria of the October 2010 credit business survey in the euro area
October 28, 2010
A-Tec: Will 100 Million be Given Up by the Creditors?
The creditors' committee deliberates today on how the company will continue existing. Mirko Kovats, founder and CEO of the company, wants to make a "substantial contribution" to the issue.
October 27, 2010
Financing of OMV-Deal in Turkey Still Open
OMV leaves the financial markets still in the dark as to how it will cope with the acquisition.
October 25, 2010
New Budget: Details and Reactions
The entire tax package will bring additional revenues for around 1.2 billion euro. There are further saving measures for 1.6 billion euro. Reactions from the economic actors are ambivalent.
October 25, 2010
New Budget, New Taxes
The budget includes a new austerity package, which consists essentially of taxes on mineral oil, tobacco and banks.
October 25, 2010